Liberals demand anti-segregation measures from govt

The Hungarian Liberal Party (MLP) calls on the government to implement immediate measures to eliminate segregation of Roma school children in Hungary, a party executive said on Saturday, marking the day of Roma pride.

Kovács Tamás

Source:MTI

The proportion of Roma children studying in segregated Hungarian schools had increased to 20 percent by 2014 from 15 percent in 2004 and this endangers the future prospects of Hungarian Roma, Anett Bosz told a press conference.

Living conditions of the Roma in Hungary have further deteriorated since Fidesz came to power in 2010 which indicates that the government's Roma integration programme has failed, she said.

Bosz referred to a fresh report by the Council of Europe which strongly criticises Hungary and its government over its Roma integration policy and designated programmes.

She cited the CoE as saying that basic human rights had been infringed in several instances, and the country's Roma often lacked access to employment and to such basic services as education and health care.

Bosz further criticised the government over lack of efforts to promote tolerance in the majority society towards the Roma, 64 percent of whom she said had already experienced discrimination at least on one occasion.

The Hungarian government and the human resources ministry have done nothing to remedy the situation, Bosz said.